scrubbedexpat141

Colossal fire, whole building was engulfed it appears.
Fire Dept have said there are fatalities but not said how many.

Apparently it had been refurbed inside and out - new cladding / exterior panels / covers too.

Inselaffen

looking how quick it spread the cladding must be suspect!

Arnold S

Radio 4 just reports that the refurbishment was "fraught with problems" and many witnesses reporting they never heard fire alarms. Probably best waiting for statements and enquiries but from rolling news and tweets it doesn't look good.

Millhouse

I really had hoped it was the bridge

Millhouse

Wow ... what a catalog of failures already, tennants were advised to stay in their flats if there was a fire.

Oh, and the company that put up the cladding have apparently taken the reference to the work done off their website. Here is cache link:


Grenfell Tower

al dente

Very distressing. The witness reports are traumatic. It seems residents had aired grievances before about the lack of fire safety.

al dente

****ing PR. Cowards.

Miss Ann Thrope

And we thought it was just out here that construction and safety standards were so shoddy!

scrubbedexpat141

Loads apparently and a blog predicting that it would need a major fire to convince the management firm / landlords.

Inselaffen

run by the Tenants and Council

BEVS

So. Here are my thoughts.

I hope that not so many were burned and injured. In fact none, being unrealistic of course.
I really, really hope that no-one was burnt or suffocated to death.
That no-one was trapped and scared and frightened and then suffered death or injury.
That no-one that sought to escape , no matter what, was killed or injured and still have their life.

Once a very long time ago , I was in an RTA and badly hurt . I am hoping beyond hope that no-one . Not one person more anywhere . Anytime. Any why. Any moment goes through pain and suffering.

mikelincs

Reports are saying that the speed of the spread was due to the fire moving up via the cladding, gap between cladding and walls acting as a wick. Reports also saying that a company had been working on the gas pipes around the 4th floor, and oddly enough that was where the fire started, apparently an explosion was heard.

martinbkk

Suspiciously prophetic methinks.

Millhouse

Apparently it was a fridge.

How they could know that at this stage is beyond me but true is you believe the Daily mail.

scrubbedexpat141

That's a frightening thought....